John Baron MP says UN weapons inspectors need access to all potential chemical sites in Syria

MP stresses importance of verification and warns against knee-jerk intervention

Following reports that Government forces in Syria have used chemical weapons against the rebels, and subsequent talk of intervention by the West, John Baron MP said:

“These images are horrific, and remind us that atrocities have been committed by both sides in this vicious civil war.”

“The facts need to be established. Were chemicals weapons used and, if so, by whom? There have been a number of claims and counter-claims by both sides in this civil war, and yet nothing has been verified. The UN inspectors need speedy access to all potential sites where both sides have claimed chemical weapons have been used. We need to base key decisions on firm evidence and avoid knee-jerk intervention.”

“Given that this is a proxy war being fought at different levels, armed intervention by the West could escalate the conflict well beyond Syria’s borders, and would certainly add to the violence and suffering. Instead, we should be doing more to help the refugee camps, and going the extra mile diplomatically such as agreeing to include Iran in any forthcoming peace talks.”

Ends

Word Count: 204

Date: 23^rd August 2013

Notes to Editors

John sits on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and sponsored a Debate in the House of Commons just before the summer recess in which Parliament made its view clear that there could be no lethal support given to the rebels by the UK without Parliament’s prior approval via a vote.